Archive
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FOOTBALL: Jeffrey eyes winning start
New Banbury United manager Billy Jeffrey says it’s vital his relegation-threatened team get back to winning ways, starting with Tuesday night’s British Gas Business Southern League Premier Division home game against Stourbridge – his first match at the
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About-turn is slammed
OXVOX chairman Trevor Lambert says he is very disappointed by an apparent change of heart from the Football Conference after receiving a letter from their chairman, Brian Lee. Together with StagsFansUnited, the Mansfield Town supporters trust, OxVox
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UPDATE: Driver hurt as lorry overturns in North Oxford
A DRIVER was treated by paramedics today after his lorry overturned in North Oxford, spilling its load of tyres on to the carriageway. The accident happened on the A44, between the Pear Tree interchange on the A34 and the Wolvercote roundabout
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Support pours in for Wesley
POPULAR former television presenter Wesley Smith tonight said he was “extremely touched” after almost 1,500 joined an Oxford Mail campaign to get him back on air. Mr Smith presented the ITV Thames Valley Tonight programme, which was scrapped
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Fantasy is fine, but do be practical
When you have a fantasy about something – like, say, a parachute jump, drinking Champagne under the Eiffel Tower on Valentine’s Day, or riding on the back of a bottlenose dolphin – then living that dream feels like the moment of a lifetime. But there
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Outdated monarchy
MANY people get a lot of pleasure out of the monarchy. But that doesn’t make it right. What dafter way to choose your head of state than by heredity? It is like deciding the Lord Mayor of Oxford on the basis that their mum, dad, or grandparent
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Banking on education
GORDON Brown’s latest idea to help the unemployed is to retrain them as school teachers. Turning out-of-work bankers into headteachers sounds good, but please, please don’t let them teach maths. They may be okay on algebra and geometry, but on percentages
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Artists to create giant canvas
The twelfth Abingdon Arts Festival will begin with a mass painting event. The annual event, organised by Abingdon Performing Arts Group Enterprise, will run from Thursday until Saturday, April 4. The arty entertainment will begin with Bigging up Vermeer
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Blair also to blame for BMW cuts
THE treatment of the agency workers laid-off by BMW is nothing short of a disgrace. This Labour Government should hang its head in shame for being responsible for their plight, by its lack of support for MP Andrew Miller’s Temporary and Agency Workers
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Lorry crash causes A34 delays
A crash between two lorries caused delays on the A34 in north Oxfordshire this evening. One lane is blocked and traffic is queueing due to the crash on the southbound carriageway before the junction with the B4027. Congestion is reported
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Steaming success
WELL done to the staff at Didcot Railway Centre for the fantastic job they did at last week’s Thomas Day Out. My grandchildren, like the hundreds of others kids there, absolutely loved it. And, as a steam lover myself, I admit I was equally impressed
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Children: Set up your own business
Children have been learning how to become entrepreneurs at an Oxford youth club. A group of 11- to 13-year-olds have honed their business skills in the Make Your Mark with a Tenner scheme at The Barn Youth Project in Nightingale Avenue, Greater
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Doomed subway 'is well used'
Plans to fill in an Oxford subway — as early as the end of the year — have sparked an outcry. Highways officers overseeing the multi-million-pound revamp of London Road, in Headington, want to consign the colourful landmark to history, claiming
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Outrage over vandal attack on Bonn Square memorial
A GRAFFITI attack on Oxford’s oldest war memorial was branded “desecration” as a clean-up was carried out today. The Tirah Memorial, in Bonn Square, which commemorates fallen soldiers from the 2nd Battalion of the Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light
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Climate change film packs them in
People packed into the Phoenix Picturehouse in Jericho, Oxford, on Sunday to watch the premiere of a film highlighting the impact of climate change. Starring Pete Postlethwaite, The Age of Stupid is the story of an archivist in 2055 in a world decimated
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Former research chemist jailed over child porn
A former Oxford University research chemist has been jailed indefinitely for sexually assaulting a toddler and building up a "vast" child porn library. Andrew Lintern shared dozens of the illicit images with fellow paedophiles and collected a large number
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City charity's market garden scheme wins seed money
AN OXFORD charity which helps homeless people find work has seen its bid to win a share of £1.6m of social enterprise funding take a big step forward. Aspire Oxfordshire was set up 10 years ago with the aim of helping people living rough get back into
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Woman sought over attacks
A woman is being hunted by police in connection with two attacks in Didcot. A 49-year-old man was smashed in the face with a glass bottle and suffered cuts and bruises at his home in Wessex Road, at about 4.45pm on Friday. At around
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RUGBY UNION: Jones brace is in vain
Oxford Harlequins pushed South West 1 leaders Clifton all the way before going down to a 20-17 defeat. Quins led 17-15 with ten minutes left and had plenty of chances throughout to add to the two tries scored by full back Huw Jones. Centre Shann Lombard
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RUGBY UNION: Henley's derby double
Henley Hawks 19, Chinnor 7 Henley Hawks completed a National 3 South double over Chinnor with an assured display. Led by their outstanding captain and No 8 Matt Payne, Hawks’ pack were in fine form and caused Chinnor real problems at the scrum. The
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RUGBY UNION: Henley were 'fantastic'
Henley Hawks director of rugby Jason Forster was highly satisfied with his side’s display against local rivals Chinnor. Forster said: “Coming here on the back of two big wins, Chinnor were going to be full of confidence. “But I thought we played a fantastic
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Body found with shotgun wound
A pensioner has been found dead in his back garden with a shotgun wound to the head. The 78-year-old man, who has not been named, was found at a house in Bowness Avenue, in Didcot, shortly after midday today. Police have been at the
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RUGBY UNION: Payne's binning proves key
Wallingford lost 18-11 in South West 2 East at High Wycombe, who made the most of a yellow card for visiting prop Dick Payne. It was 11-3 to Wallingford when Payne was sin-binned for not rolling away in the tackle. But Wycombe’s pack took control with
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RUGBY UNION: Townsend at the double
Two tries from Sam Townsend helped Chipping Norton defeat promotion-chasing Milton Keynes 39-25 at Greystones in Southern Counties North. Flanker Matt Dawson’s fine individual try gave Chippy the perfect start in an entertaining match. Milton hit back
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RUGBY UNION: Stewart shines
Full back Murray Stewart bagged four tries as Gosford All Blacks won 35-22 at home to Stow-on-the-Wold in the BB&O Premier Division. Centre Harry Sutton, on as a blood replacement for scrum half Andy Sheppard, set up wing Ant Murray to score Gosford’
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Burglars force their way into house
FOUR men forced their way inside a house in Oxford and stole electrical items. Police are appealing for witnesses after the aggravated burglary in Waynflete Road, Headington, between 5.20 and 5.30pm on Saturday. Two of the men are described as black
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Local share prices (PM)
AEA Technology 15.5 BMW 2059 Electrocomponents 131.75 Nationwide Accident Repair 99.5 Oxford Biomedica 6.6 Oxford Catalysts 56.5 Oxford Instruments 119.5 Reed Elsevier 515.75 RM 166 RPS Group 143.75 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
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RUGBY UNION: Bulls march on
Ashley Woodward’s try double helped Banbury Bulls to a 24-0 victory at Aylestone St James in Midlands 3 East South. Bulls faced a stiff breeze, but finished well with Woodward showing pace and strength to score twice. Banbury produced some nice touches
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Oxford Biomedica cuts its losses
Gene therapy firm Oxford BioMedica has cut its losses despite problems associated with one of its key treatments. The company based at the Oxford Science Park has posted a pre-tax loss before exceptional items of £5,480,000 for the year ended December
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Cow crash couple could have died
A COUPLE are lucky to be alive after emerging from a wrecked car after it collided with a cow on a road at night. As reported last week, driver James Shayler, 32, of Cedar Drive, Witney, remains in hospital with serious head injuries, including a fractured
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Motor club's long track record recognised
Members of Oxford Motor Club are celebrating after receiving a special award to recognise its long history. The club, which runs rallies and other events, was founded in 1907. Last year the group, which has more than 100 members ranging
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Burglary gang raids Oxford home
Police are appealing for witnesses after an aggravated burglary at a house in Oxford. Between 5.20pm and 5.30pm on Saturday, four men forced their way into the house in Waynflete Road and stole some electrical items. Two of the men were black and
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Oxfordshire's first Holi Festival a success
ABOUT 150 people enjoyed Oxfordshire’s first Holi Festival at the weekend. People of all faiths visited the Lake Street Community Centre in South Oxford for the festival — one of the main events in the Hindu calendar. On Saturday, families enjoyed
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On the run for little Liam
WHEN two-year-old Liam Leighton from Wantage was diagnosed with cancer, his mum Kerry felt like the world had ended. But staff at Oxford Children’s Hospital helped her to cope with the fact her son had Wilm’s Tumour, a form of kidney cancer
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Jobs boom at research centre
Up to 170 new jobs are to be created at Culham nuclear research centre in Oxfordshire. Recruitment has already started for 100 jobs with the UK Atomic Energy Authority, which operates the giant Jet European nuclear fusion machine, as well as
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Science fun day brings big crowds to Brookes
A SCIENCE fun day attracted more than 500 people at the weekend. Adults and children visited Oxford Brookes University’s Gipsy Lane campus in Headington to take part in a science festival. All activities and workshops at the event were full. A range
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Culham fusion research creates 140 jobs
UP TO 140 new jobs are to be created at Culham nuclear research centre in south Oxfordshire. Recruitment has already started for jobs with the UK Atomic Energy Authority, which operates the giant Jet European nuclear fusion project, as well as the UK
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Former mental patient jailed for robberies
A former mental patient has admitted carrying out a series of armed robberies in Oxford, and been jailed for six-and-a-half years. Leigh Cooper, 27, today pleaded guilty at Oxford Crown Court to five charges of robbery and one of possession
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Thief jailed after witness attack
A 14-year-old thief who attacked a witness has been jailed. The teenage boy, from Barton, Oxford, who cannot be named, was sentenced to four months at a youth detention centre by Oxford Magistrates’ Court. He admitted intimidation and assault following
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Prosecutions after alcohol sold to children
Two stores were caught selling drinks to 15-year-old children in the latest of a series of undercover police operations. Police carried out test-purchasing at seven off-licences and corner shops in north Oxford on Friday night. Nine to Nine convenience
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Stores sold drink to youngsters
Two stores were caught selling drinks to 15-year-old children in the latest of a series of undercover police operations. Police carried out test-purchasing at seven off-licences and corner shops in North Oxford on Friday night. Nine to Nine convenience
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Turner prepares for new marathon
As if the Le Mans 24 Hours wasn’t enough of a challenge, Chacombe racing driver Darren Turner is taking on another of the world’s toughest endurance races this year: the London Marathon. This is a whole new experience for Turnerwho has never
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Cyclist remains in life-threatening condition
A cyclist remains in hospital fighting for his life after a collision on the Oxford ring road. The man, 65, from Kidlington, was injured after a collision with a van on the A4142 bypass between Sainsbury’s supermarket, at Heyford Hill, and the Littlemore
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Didcot Chamber cuts membership fees
Membership fees for the Didcot Chamber of Commerce have been cut to a flat rate of £50 a year. Formerly membership was stepped according to the number of employees a business had in a bid to attract some of the larger retail chains but now the emphasis
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Man hurt in afternoon brawl
A man suffered a fractured spine during a brawl outside a coffee shop. Police are appealing for witnesses after a fight at Cafe Nero, in Banbury Market Square, at around 1.20pm, on Saturday. A 29-year-old man suffered a fracture to the
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Injuries after lorry overturns
A driver has been treated by paramedics today after his lorry overturned in North Oxford. The accident happened on the A44, between the Pear Tree interchange on the A34 and the Wolvercote roundabout. Drivers on the southbound carriageway were delayed
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BMW boss upbeat despite profits slump
The top boss of Mini parent firm BMW has insisted the company is in a strong position despite seeing profits nosedive by more than 90 per cent. Norbert Reithofer, chairman of the BMW board, said: “We prepared ourselves early on and swiftly for severe
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Keen team of collectors
It didn't take long to identify the pupils sorting the used stamps at Matthew Arnold School, in Cumnor Hill (Memory Lane, February 9). Erik Carlsen identified himself and his fellow pupils hard at work in 1968. As we recalled, they had supported an
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Dancers get in step ahead of big event
There was no shortage of couples when the compere announced: “Take your partners.” Dancing was one of the many activities that took place at Cowley Community Centre in Oxford. The picture was published in the Oxford Mail in September 1958 to
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Firemen quick to respond
Oxford fire crews lost no time fighting this fire – it happened right on their doorstep. Smoke from the blaze in a carpet and furniture warehouse in George Street was quickly spotted by Leading Firewoman Kathleen New-bold. She was on duty alongside
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Local share prices (AM)
AEA Technology 15.5 BMW 2068 Electrocomponents 132.25 Nationwide Accident Repair 98 Oxford Biomedica 6.6 Oxford Catalyst 56.5 Oxford Instruments 120 Reed Elsevier 518 RM 164.5 RPS Group 148 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
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Police role in Chief’s blood
WHEN Charles Fox retired as Chief Constable of Oxford, he promised to give the pension fund “a bit of a socking”. He was speaking from experience – he had followed his father and grandfather into the force. He explained: “The average for drawing a police
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Loyal servants of historic college
This picture arrived at Newspaper House with a one-line caption – St John’s College staff (about 1960). No names were given, but these are clearly the men and women who kept the wheels turning at the college in St Giles nearly half a century ago. They
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Police appeal for flasher information
A flasher wearing a long leather jacket exposed himself to four young girls. Police are appealing for witnesses after he flashed the girls in Tramway Industrial Estate, Banbury, shortly after 6pm on Friday. The flasher had a thick bushy, black beard
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Braced for a race in the river
It may have been August, but the River Thames is still very cold at 7.30am. If you doubt that statement, just ask any of these hardy souls who took the plunge in the summer of 1977. These were the competitors in the annual police swim, from Folly Bridge
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Recession is really biting
THE news that Abingdon is among Britain’s worst hit towns during the ongoing credit crunch will surprise many. In the year to January, the Vale saw the number of Jobseeker’s Allowance claimants soar from 416 to 1,029 — a rise of almost 150 per cent.
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Make every empty home count
GETTING a council house in Oxford is as rare as hen’s teeth. The city council still has a good stock — about 8,000 properties — but that is still woefully short of the number required to house all on its register. Today, the number of individuals signed
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Oxford has 920 long-term empty properties
OXFORD has 920 long-term empty private properties – at a time when 5,000 people on the council housing list face an indefinite wait. Powers to get these properties back into use have failed to ease Oxford’s chronic housing shortage, an Oxford
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Residents want 20mph limit on Botley Road
A COMMUNITY is campaigning to slash the speed of motorists on one of Oxford’s busiest and most congested roads. Families in West Oxford have banded together to lobby Oxfordshire County Council to reduce the speed limit on Botley Road from 30mph to 20mph